📢 Being Against Israel Using Starvation as a Weapon for Killing Innocents Is Not Antisemitism — It's Our Moral Obligation episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 4, 2025 · 9 MIN

📢 Being Against Israel Using Starvation as a Weapon for Killing Innocents Is Not Antisemitism — It's Our Moral Obligation

from Power to the People · host Laurie Woodward Garcia and People Power United

📢 Together, we rise! People Power United champions progress and power to the people. Join us by becoming a free or paid subscriber. Make your voice heard. https://www.newsletter.peoplepowerunited.org/Friends,What I'm about to share isn't easy to write—but it needs to be said.Every time we address uncomfortable issues—whether about healthcare, housing, Israel, or Palestine—some folks walk away. That's okay. I'm not here to comfort the comfortable. I'm here to build a future with people who believe everyone deserves to thrive—and no injustice should be ignored.When we first issued statements on the attacks in Israel and Palestine (here, here, and here), we lost a few subscribers. That happens. But the vast majority of you stayed—and showed up. Because you understand that silence helps no one.And that's what gives me hope. Most of you come here expecting clarity, compassion, and action. I hope that today will be one of those days. Let's get into it.🔥 Being Against Israel Using Starvation as a Weapon for Killing Innocents Is Not Antisemitism — It's Our Moral ObligationLet us be crystal clear: condemning war crimes is not antisemitism. It is not antisemitic to say that deliberately starving civilians, indiscriminate bombing of neighborhoods, and gunning down desperate people at food distribution sites is wrong. It is antisemitic to suggest that Judaism is tied to such inhumanity. The crimes committed by Benjamin Netanyahu's government are not acts of faith—they are acts of brutality. And to remain silent in the face of this mass suffering would be a fundamental betrayal international law and our shared humanity.Israel is using food—and famine—as a weapon of war.For over 80 days, Israel imposed a blockade that stopped nearly all food and humanitarian supplies in Gaza. When that blockade was lifted, chaos followed—not relief. Israel has dismantled the experienced U.N.-led aid network and handed distribution to a U.S.-based private contractor system that has been a cluster.Only four distribution sites were opened to replace a previous network of over 400 (Wikipedia, 2025). Masses of starving Palestinians, many walking for miles before dawn, were funneled into a handful of dangerous, overcrowded locations. Israeli soldiers, stationed nearby, opened fire on them repeatedly.At least 50 people were killed in just one week at these food distribution sites, according to the Red Cross. Many more were wounded. The IDF claims these were warning shots—but multiple survivors have described them as deliberate massacres (New York Times, 2025 and New York Times, 2025 and New York Times, 2025).Civilians—not Hamas—are dying by the thousands.As of May 27, nearly 56,000 people have been killed in this war, the overwhelming majority of them Palestinian civilians (Wikipedia, 2025). Over 70% of those killed in homes were women and children (BBC, 2025).Gaza has been deemed the “the hungriest place on Earth" (United Nations, 2025).These are not accidents. These are deliberate tools of warfare—targeting human dignity and survival itself.This is not about security—it's about control and displacement.Israel says the new food system prevents Hamas from diverting supplies, but the U.N. has said those claims are exaggerated. Meanwhile, Israeli food distribution sites are concentrated in southern Gaza—likely a deliberate move to force northern residents to flee their homes permanently (ABC News, 2025).This is ethnic cleansing by siege, disguised as a security strategy.“A sane country does not wage war against civilians, does not kill babies as a pastime, and does not engage in mass population displacement,” Yair Golan, a left-wing opposition voice and the former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army. (NBC News, 2025).U.S. complicity must end now.The United States sends billions in unconditional military aid to Israel—even as American-funded weapons rain down on civilians, flattens neighborhoods, and causes famine. (Council on Foreign Relations, 2025). Donald Trump has praised these actions and even proposed turning Gaza into a luxury resort. (Wikipedia, 2025).That's not national security. That's colonialism. That's war profiteering.We cannot let our taxpayer dollars fund killing innocent people and war crimes. We must demand an end to military shipments, demand accountability from Netanyahu, and stand with those fighting for peace, justice, and survival.Before we dive into today’s calls to action, I want to share our latest statement:📣 Public Statement from People Power United: Condemning All Acts of Terror and Violence—From Colorado to Washington, D.C., to GazaPeople Power United unequivocally condemns all acts of terror and violence—no matter where they occur or who they target.We denounce the horrifying flamethrower attack in Colorado that injured innocent civilians. We condemn the brutal killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C.—a heinous act of targeted violence that has no place in a civilized world. And we denounce the relentless killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza, many of whom were simply trying to get food for their families when they were gunned down or bombed without warning.Terrorism is never justified. Civilian deaths are never collateral. And every life—Israeli, Palestinian, American—matters.As we've stated before:"People Power United stands with the people of Israel who have been brutally attacked by the terrorist organization, Hamas. We condemn the killings, kidnappings, and terror that has been unleashed on Israel.People Power United also stands with the innocent people of Palestine, who are also being used as human pawns by the terrorist organization Hamas in its dispute with Israel.We call on America to support a free and just Israel and Palestine and take every action to ensure peace in the Middle East."Violence will not bring peace. Hate will not bring justice. And terrorism will never bring freedom.We call on our leaders to rise above fear and retaliation—and act with courage, humanity, and vision. That means demanding accountability from all sides, protecting civilians everywhere, ending the use of starvation and siege as weapons of war, and laying the groundwork for a free, secure, and just future for both Israelis and Palestinians.This is a moral moment. We must not look away.People Power United will always stand for peace, justice, and the dignity of all people—no matter where they live or what language they speak.📢 Take Action with People Power UnitedWe Will Not Be Silent While They Starve. Starving children is not self-defense. Shooting desperate parents as they reach for bread is not national security. Blocking reporters, punishing aid workers, and silencing dissent is not democracy. It is fascism wrapped in a flag. And we reject it.* Click here to send a message to your Member of Congress: End Starvation as a Weapon of War https://actionnetwork.org/letters/we-will-not-be-silent-while-they-starve/* We must:* 🔥 Demand a cease-fire now* ✊ Demand full humanitarian access* 💰 End U.S. military aid until war crimes have been investigated* 🕊️ Call for a free and just two-state solution* Call Congress: (202) 224-3121* Call the White House: (202) 456-1111 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newsletter.peoplepowerunited.org/subscribe

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📢 Being Against Israel Using Starvation as a Weapon for Killing Innocents Is Not Antisemitism — It's Our Moral Obligation

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📢 Together, we rise! People Power United champions progress and power to the people. Join us by becoming a free or paid subscriber. Make your voice heard. https://www.newsletter.peoplepowerunited.org/Friends,What I'm about to share isn't easy to...

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